Equal opportunity sought for all in election of VP<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A cabinet minister called on the nation
\nyesterday to carefully select the country's best son or daughter,
\nregardless of their background, to accompany President Soeharto
\nin leading Indonesia toward the third millennium.<\/p>\n
Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo said an equal
\nopportunity should be given to all potential candidates for the
\nvice presidential post, whether they come from civil or military
\ncircles.<\/p>\n
Siswono said that the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has
\nreceived a list of names of candidates from the public, which
\nincludes the incumbent Vice President Gen. (ret) Try Sutrisno.<\/p>\n
Siswono said Try had proven himself to be one of the country's
\nbest sons through his impressive record in his current post.<\/p>\n
\"In my view, he is very good and capable of creating a
\ncomfortable atmosphere for the nation,\" Siswono said after
\nmeeting with Try at Merdeka Selatan Palace yesterday.<\/p>\n
Up to yesterday, there had been 13 names registered as vice
\npresidential material at the People's Consultative Assembly --
\nthe body which will elect a president, vice president and endorse
\nthe State Policy Guidelines in its assembly next year.<\/p>\n
Six of those touted have a military background: incumbent Try
\nSutrisno; Minister of Defense Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat; Minister
\nof Information Gen. (ret) R. Hartono; State Minister of National
\nDevelopment Planning Vice Marshall (ret) Ginandjar Kartasasmita;
\nArmed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung; and Army Chief of Staff
\nGen. Wiranto.<\/p>\n
The civilian candidates include House Speaker Harmoko; State
\nMinister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie; Soeharto's
\neldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana; chairman of Moslem
\norganization Muhammadiyah Amien Rais; and chairman of the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) Ismail Hasan Metareum.<\/p>\n
\"We must not restrict ourselves in finding the primus inter
\npares, the best candidate... because the position is very
\nstrategic,\" said Siswono.<\/p>\n
The 76-year-old Soeharto is widely tipped to be reelected for
\nhis seventh consecutive term next March. The question of who will
\nbe elected vice president has been attracting more attention
\nbecause, according to the 1945 Constitution, he or she will
\nautomatically replace the President when the latter becomes
\nincapacitated.<\/p>\n
Try's nomination in 1993 sparked controversy because then
\nArmed Forces (ABRI) chief for sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen.
\nHarsudiono Hartas announced Try as the candidate for the ABRI
\nfaction, without consulting Soeharto. The constitution stipulates
\nthat a vice president elect should be able to cooperate with the
\nelected president.<\/p>\n
It is generally believed that the likeliest candidate is one
\nwith a military background, a Javanese and a Moslem.<\/p>\n
Outspoken scholar Arbi Sanit, however, doubted Try's
\ncapabilities.<\/p>\n
He said Try had not been able to prove his statesmanship
\nbecause, as the country's second most senior leader, he never
\nlaunched strategic initiatives or ideas.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that Try was a devoted Moslem and a sincere
\nleader, but added that such factors are not enough to lead a
\nnation.<\/p>\n
\"We all agree that he is a nice person. However, what is
\nimportant is his capability. People like him, but he is not a
\ncapable man,\" Arbit told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council K. H. Hasan Basri
\nsaid he was confident Soeharto would be reelected in March.<\/p>\n
\"The vice presidential seat will be a hot issue, and we must
\nconsult with the president-elect on this,\" the prominent ulema
\nsaid in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. (prb\/43)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/equal-opportunity-sought-for-all-in-election-of-vp-1447893297",
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